Aftermath
For the next few days Rangiku wasn't really seen around the barracks. She wasn't in the office, in the courtyard, or even in the bar. The only place she could be found was in a small dark room with hardly any light.
"Rangiku." Said a voice getting her attention. She turned around and saw Nanao Ise Lieutenant of Squad Eight standing in the doorway. Rangiku turned away from her to look out the window. Nanao's sandals clicked against the floor as she walked to Rangiku's side." H-How are you feeling?" Rangiku did not speak or even motion her reply. This only made Nanao's job harder." I've been told to give you these." Rangiku looked down and saw Nanao holding out a sheet of paper at her. And looking at her shoulder Rangiku saw that she wasn't the Lieutenant of Squad Eight anymore but of Squad One.
Looking at the paper being handed to her Rangiku saw the opposite. She had been removed as Lieutenant of Squad One and instead becoming Lieutenant of Squad Eight. Rangiku couldn't be mad, she knew it was only a matter of time before this happened.
"I'm sorry about this." Nanao said as Rangiku got to her feet." I know what you must be going through. But if you ever want to talk I-" Rangiku turned and put both her hands on Nanao's shoulders.
"Thank you." She said. Then she pulled Nanao into a hug. Under normal circumstances she'd try to squeeze out of it but not this time. After a few moments Rangiku let go and made her way out of the Squad One Barracks and to her new Division of Squad Eight.
But as she was making her way out she found someone in the Division's courtyard. There in a sleeve Captain's coat with the symbol of Squad Eight was Chojiro Sasakibe.
"Chojiro." She said and he turned to her." But it's Captain Chojiro now isn't it?"
"It is." He nodded to her. There was a quiet sadness about him today, she could hear it in his voice. " I just finished my Captain's exam and…. I just wanted to walk around one last time." He was saying Goodbye in his own way Rangiku understood that.
"Should we get going…Captain?" she asked him.
"Yes." He nodded." Let's." He took a few steps forward and began leading the way. Rangiku waited a few moments before following after him. After over a hundred years of walking behind Toshiro it was strange to see someone else's back to her now.
And they arrived at Squad Eight to see most of the Division out in the courtyard. The division usually had a more lively and fun energy about it but not today. The business which lost them their previous commanders and their sudden replacements was still hard to handle. It was customary for a Captain to arrive and give a speech for the occasion. But Chojiro had always been a man of few words and now of all times he had little to say about anything.
"Captain." A big man said as he approached them." I am Tatsufusa Enjoji, Third Seat of Squad Eight." Chojiro stayed behing and spoke to him. But Rangiku went on forward to look about the Division.
She knew it well from all the times she'd visited Nanao here for all these years. But now it was her's.
Chojiro must have finished his words with Enjoji quickly because he soon reappeared beside Rangiku, right before their new office. But they stood there for a long time with neither really willing to open the door into their new life.
"Allow me." Chojiro finally said. He reached forward and slid the door wide open. The office looked just like any other though smaller than the one they left. Chojiro entered inside first and Rangiku followed him.
There was a scent in the air. Scented candles and air fresheners.
Once they reached the center of the room they split apart to their separate desks. Rangiku was still a Lieutnenant but Chojiro was a Captain now. He slid his hand along the desk and began looking through the drawers.
Evidently he must have found something Captain Kyoraku left behind and he quickly shut the drawer. And as he turned his attention away from the item he looked up to see Rangiku standing beside her new desk. This was much harder for her than he thought.
"Lieutenant." He said after clearing his voice. She didn't turn to face him." I'll be making my rounds about the Division. You just stay here and…familiarize yourself with the new barracks." He did not mean to say 'new' but it just came out. And he hated himself for it.
With nothing else to say he quickly turned and walked out the door, leaving Rangiku by herself.